Sarajevo, the heart of the Balkans, is a city rich in history, culture, and natural beauty. A blend of Ottoman, Austro-Hungarian, and modern influences, it offers something for every traveler. Here are the top 10 places you must visit:
1. Latin Bridge
This historic bridge is famous as the site of the assassination of Archduke Franz Ferdinand, which triggered World War I. The Latin Bridge is one of the oldest bridges left standing in the city and is a fine example of a preserved Ottoman Bridge. However, it is the bridge’s northernmost tip that is its most important feature.
2. Sarajevo Tunnel (Tunnel of Hope)
A crucial passageway during the Siege of Sarajevo (1992-1995), this tunnel played a key role in helping the city's residents survive. During the 1992–95 siege, when Sarajevo was surrounded by Bosnian Serb forces, the only link to the outside world was an 800m-long, 1 m-wide, 1.6 m-high tunnel between two houses on opposite sides of the airport runway. Walking through a 25m section is the moving culmination of a visit to the shell-pounded house, which hid the western tunnel entrance.
3. Vrelo Bosne
A peaceful nature park at the foot of Mount Igman, featuring crystal-clear springs, swans, and scenic walking paths.
4. Gazi Husrev-Beg Mosque
Built in 1530 under the patronage of Gazi Husrev-beg, a prominent Ottoman governor, the mosque was designed by the celebrated architect Ajem Esir Ali. Its construction marked a pivotal moment in the urban development of Sarajevo, elevating the city to the status of a sheher or a major urban center. The mosque's historical journey is intertwined with the city's evolution, serving as a central hub for both religious and civic life.
5. Avaz Twist Tower
The Avaz Twist Tower is a 40 storey, 175m tall skyscraper in Sarajevo, Bosnia and Herzegovina. It is the headquarters for Dnevni avaz, a Bosnian newspaper company. In addition to its height (175 meters) and the fact that it takes up an impressive 32,000 square meters, the tower is also unique because of its twisted facade and the powerful fieldscopes up on the 36th floor, which provide visitors with a chance to peer into almost every nook and cranny of Sarajevo.
Every year, Avaz Twist Tower organizes the “Avaz Tower Running”, an unusual sporting event where contestants run up 780 steps to the observation deck. This race is a real challenge for adrenaline addicts!
6. Sarajevo City Hall
A beautifully restored Austro-Hungarian landmark, now serving as a library and museum showcasing Sarajevo’s history.
7. Trebević Mountain & Cable Car
Take a scenic cable car ride up to Trebević Mountain, where you can enjoy hiking, nature views, and the abandoned 1984 Olympic bobsled track.
8. Yellow Fortress
A perfect spot for watching the sunset over Sarajevo, offering breathtaking views of the city and the surrounding mountains. The fortress lost its original function once the Austro-Hungarians took over Sarajevo. Today, it offers a fantastic view of the city and is one of Sarajevo’s most popular vantage points. This is also the spot where a cannon is fired at sunset during the Islamic month of Ramadan to mark the time for breaking the fast.
9. Sebilj Fountain
A famous Ottoman-style wooden fountain in Baščaršija, known as the "pigeon square", where visitors gather to enjoy the atmosphere.
10. Baščaršija (Old Bazaar)
A gastronomic paradise in Baščaršija, and along this street, you will find some of the most famous Sarajevo čevapčići, pita, and ašćinica food shops. Founded in the 15th century, the Ottoman bazaar of Bascarsija, as the name suggests and translates to "main market," is the heart of Sarajevo. This bazaar carries the Ottoman spirit to the present day, with its famous Sebilj fountain and other historical structures, where the aroma of Bosnian coffee, which is served individually in bronze coffee pots, dots the square.
